Journey to Chamonix starts here: UTMB confirm World Series schedule

The UTMB World Series has confirmed a 25-event programme for 2022 with races across Asia, Oceania, Europe and the Americas. 

Three new events have been added to the calendar, Transvulcania in Spain, Kullamannen in Sweden, and Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko in Australia. 

The UTMB World Series gets underway with Croatia’s biggest trail running race, Istria 100, from 7-10 April when more than 2,000 runners are expected to line up for what will also be the first chance to qualify for the UTMB® World Series Finals in the OCC, CCC and UTMB races at UTMB Mont-Blanc 2023. 

Only way to collect ‘Running Stones’ 

The top three male and female finishers in the 50K, 100K and 100M categories will win automatic entry into the corresponding final, while amateur runners will be able to collect Running Stones which can be used as entries into the UTMB Mont-Blanc lottery.

UTMB World Series Events are now the only place where participants can collect Running Stones in favour of the previous points system, and begin their journey to Chamonix, France.  

“The calendar for 2022 is exceptional,” said Marie Sammons, UTMB World Series Sport and Regeneration Director. “We look forward to welcoming athletes from across the globe to an event soon, and to delivering an unforgettable experience at the best races and in the most striking locations.”

Poignant return of Transvulcania 

Transvulcania by UTMB prepares for a return to the trails on the 273-square-mile island of La Palma, the westernmost island of Spain’s Canary Islands, from 20-23 October. 

Celebrating its 12th running in 2022 – the first since 2019 – the event is set to return stronger than ever for what is expected to be a particularly poignant edition following a significant volcano eruption on the island in 2021. 

With around 2,500 participants and a deep elite field expected, the pinnacle 74km race starts from the south tip of the island at El Faro de Fuencaliente before runners race for the sky and the island’s highest point at 2,420-meters. Participants can expect a variety of dramatic volcanic landscapes interspersed with pine groves, before finishing with the infamous descent to the city of Los Llanos de Aridane. 

Kullamannen is challenging technical test 

Kullamannen by UTMB provides a challenging technical test of trail running. Described as ‘heaven, sea and hell’, it consists of several distances from 22km to 100 miles on the wild and beautiful peninsulas Bjäre and Kullaberg situated on the south of Sweden by the sea. 

The course features fantastic nature reserves, before finishing at the magical Kullaberg. The adventurous track runs through narrow winding mountain trails, beautiful beech forests, and coastal paths, where runners can hear the waves crashing even under the darkness of night.   

Kosciuszko a high point

Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB is a new event in which runners will discover new heights Down Under at Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB® – Australia’s newest trail running event that has the country’s highest peak at its centre.  

Hosted by the ski resort of Thredbo in New South Wales, the event will showcase the very best of the Snowy Mountains, as runners traverse through the scenic Kosciuszko National Park across 100-mile, 100km, 50km and 25km distances. Alpine meadows, snow gum forests and crystal-clear streams will showcase local nature at its best while runners ascend to the highest point in Australia.  

UTMB® World Series 2022 schedule: